WTHR |Repair blitz for homeowners in need

Repair blitz for homeowners in need

Jeremy Brilliant/ Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - Volunteers are in town from as far away as Alabama and Michigan, dozens of people helping to fix one west side neighborhood.

It's a weeklong home repair blitz called Camp Outreach sponsored by Indianapolis-based Common Ground Christian Ministries.

The President of Common Ground, Guy Swenson, says, after paying the mortgage, many of the homeowners can't afford to pay for major home improvement projects.

He says some of the recipients are constantly helping out their neighbors, donating their time and putting their own needs on the back-burner.

For instance, one of the houses the volunteers will be working on, needs the roof patched up and some of the plumbing fixed. Water is getting into the home ruining the homeowners tools, equipment he needs to help his neighbors.

"One gentleman is on disability, he's had throat cancer can't lift his head but if one of his neighbors are having a problem, if they can afford the materials to fix say a deck or a roof repair. if they can afford the materials, he's had training in the past in various types of carpentry, he'll go out and do the fix at no charge to them," Swenson said.

Monday through Friday the group will be tackling projects at five to six houses. One of the houses that holds a large family is in desperate need of new siding.

"They're a family who has fostered 19 children, 12 children are living with them right now and many of the kids have autism, medical needs they have a child living with them right now that goes through dialysis once a week," Swenson said.

The Lord's Pantry at Anna's House is also getting some new plumbing and a face-lift.
Volunteers will be remodeling and expanding their kitchen to meet the growing needs of the community. Each day this week, kids can go to Anna's house for a free breakfast from 9-10a.m.and free lunch from noon - 1p.m.

The group will provide all the labor and materials free of charge, but they say they still need donations, either monetary or the siding itself.

There are more details about donating at the Common Ground Christian Ministries web site.